Courtesy of The Palm Beach Post
Social Media and the internet should be herpetoculture’s savior especially when it comes down to the constrictor ban. Unfortunately herpetoculture is up against all media giants not just the government and unsuitable scientific papers. One media giant, The Palm Beach Post, (PBP) a newspaper that was original launched as a weekly publication in 1908 pictured an image describing the five species up for listing on the constrictor ban, along with the four that were listed in 2012. The image labeled “Dangerous Constrictors” has been traveling around social media since its publication on July 24, 2014. United States Association of Reptile Keepers, (USARK) have been helping bring herpetoculturists together and providing talking points against this erroneous constrictor ban.
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According to the graphic that was printed in PBP about the constrictor ban, there are some blatant errors. The graphic describing the yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) is actually a picture of a neonate Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis). The picture looks very much like this one. The Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) depicted in the image is actually a picture of an adult Green Tree Python and is very similar to this picture online. The Beni Anaconda (Eunectes beniensis) picture is actually a digitally modified picture of a Yellow Anaconda that was featured on an article written by Pet Product News in December of 2013. Lastly there is an image of a DeSchauensee’s Anaconda (Eunectes deschauenseei) that is very similar to the one on USGS.gov website by Lutz Dirksen.
There are many other errors in this graphic, can you find them? If so, comment on our Facebook page.
Herpetoculturists everywhere need to stand together and help fight the fight against the erroneous information being scoured throughout the world to the general public. Join a herpetological society, follow USARK, and follow social media pages that help spread the word. Do your part to help yourself and other pet owners alike.